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LOT 1141
British Fairbairn-Sykes 'Beaded and Ringed' Commando Dagger in Scabbard
CIRCA 1942 A.D.
13 in. (254 grams, 33 cm overall).
By Rodgers, with finely shaped 15cm stiletto blade with traces of original black finish tapering to a steel oval guard and fitted with a brass 'beaded and ringed' shaped hilt secured by a copper pommel nut; the hilt bearing the War Department 'broad arrow' and '2' marks near to the guard; with the original leather scabbard fitted with brass rivets and chape, pierced for belt wear and with the side flaps for sewing cut away as commonly seen when belt worn; the dagger showing wear with minor chipping to the blade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a Luton, UK gentleman, by inheritance.
LiteratureSee Thompson, L., Commando Dagger, Paladin, 1985, pp.56-57, for this type.
FootnotesIn the autumn of 1942, the Rodgers firm produced what many consider to be the best of all the wartime Fairbairn-Sykes knives: the 'Beads and Ridges' model (or 'Beaded and Ringed'); so-called for its distinctive grip pattern to the brass hilt of single rings of tiny beads, interspersed between sections of four to seven plain rings. The blade is delicate and uniform, and the weapon, though light, is well balanced. The blade finish was black (as this example) or nickel. All of this type are considered to be at least scarce. According to both Fredrick Stephens and Leroy Thompson the type was a commercial variant for private purchase; however, there are some rare cases of this type which were officially issued with the War Department broad arrow and number marks, as with this example.
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LOT 1141
British Fairbairn-Sykes 'Beaded and Ringed' Commando Dagger in Scabbard
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Post Medieval Spanish 'Conquistador' Cuirass Set
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,510
The breastplate with pronounced vertical rib and two rivets to front, roll at neck and splay at base with rivets to full perimeter, with inked accession numbers '21238A' (crossed through) and 'SDM - EW1' above '1931 - 30 - 6, a' and inked handwritten paper label reading 'Old Spanish Armour (Conquistador) / Found with remains of Spanish Galleon on / the estate of Leakin family (Georgia) coast. / about 1870. Refer to Trinity College Hertford Ct. / for information in Leakin family. / Given originally to Mrs Mark Howden (Hartford Ct.) / [ ] when I was 7 years old. / Luke W Lee 1944' in eight lines and also with chalked 'Old Spanish Armour / from Georgia 1944' inscription in two lines; the backplate generally matching but with vertical groove at centre and no splay at base, with inked accession numbers '31238B' (crossed through) and 'SDM - EW1' above '1951 - 30 - 6, b'. 3.3 kg, 42.5 cm high
From a Southern Californian museum, with accession numbers. Ex American collector. Acquired from TimeLine Auctions, UK, 2018, lot 181. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.204020.
Trinity College, Hartford was founded in 1823; further research in their archives could provide more information on this cuirass set and the site of the 'Spanish galleon' shipwreck discovered in about 1870. -
German Iron Stirrup Pair
16th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
Featuring twisted bar open treads, arched side pieces grooved and connected by a strap bar. 780 grams total, 16.5 cm each
Acquired from Czerny's Auctions, Italy, 2016, lot 313. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of Czerny's invoice and lot details. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword Blade
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Triangular profile with two parallel fullers tapering to a rounded tip, the tang forming an extension of the midrib. 194 grams, 30.7 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in Luristan were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased, others engraved.
